What did you study?
I investigated how health-related behaviours and central obesity during menopause are associated with metabolic health. Among health behaviours, I focused on sleep, eating, and physical activity behaviours. I utilized existing data from ERMA and EsmiRs studies that consisted of questionnaire-based information and laboratory measurements on health behaviours and various indicators of metabolic health in middle-aged women. Data collection was conducted between 2015 and 2019.
What were the results of your study?
Sleep, eating, and physical activity behaviours constitute an entity that is associated with metabolic changes. The results showed that irregular eating and difficulties in eating regulation are associated with tiredness during the daytime and may also disrupt sleep. In addition, eating behaviour and physical activity are reflected in changes in central obesity. Physical activity appears to be linked to the amount of central obesity and the subsequent inflammatory processes, as increases in central obesity were more strongly manifested as elevated inflammation among less physically active individuals compared with their more active counterparts. Furthermore, the protective effect of physical activity on metabolic health varies between individuals and appears to be weaker among those who report more features of disordered eating behaviour. Regular eating behaviour seems to support metabolic balance. In addition, menopausal estrogen replacement therapy may enhance the beneficial association between healthy lifestyle behaviours and metabolic health.
How can the results be applied? What new insights did the research contribute to the topic?
The study demonstrates that health behaviour choices can support and maintain metabolic health during and after menopause, despite the significant biological, physical, and behavioural changes that typically accompany this period. The findings of this doctoral dissertation can be applied to the development of lifestyle counselling, targeted care, and health promotion practices, especially among women with elevated metabolic health risk.
MSc Hannamari Lankila’s doctoral dissertation “Menopause and metabolic health: associations with sleep, eating, and physical activity behaviours” will be publicly defended on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 12:00 noon in lecture hall L304, Liikunta building, University of Jyväskylä. The opponent will be Professor Jaana Lindström (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare) and the Custos Associate Professor Eija Laakkonen (University of Jyväskylä). The event is held in Finnish.
- The event can be followed online: https://r.jyu.fi/dissertation-lankila-130526
- The dissertation is available at https://jyx.jyu.fi/jyx/Record/jyx_123456789_109954
